Who Is Eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying? Nine Medical Conditions Assessed Against Five Legal Frameworks
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Keywords
VAD, Voluntary Assisted Dying, MAID, Medical Assistance in Dying, Death with Dignity, Eligibility Criteria
Abstract
Eligibility criteria in voluntary assisted dying legislation determine access to assistance to die. This article undertakes the practical exercise of analyzing whether each of the following nine medical conditions can provide an individual with access to voluntary assisted dying: cancer; motor neurone disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, frailty, spinal cord injury and Huntington's disease. This analysis occurs across five legal frameworks: Victoria, Western Australia, a model Bill in Australia, Oregon and Canada. The article argues that it is critical to evaluate voluntary assisted dying legislation in relation to key medical conditions to determine the law's boundaries and operation. A key finding is that some frameworks tended to grant the same access to voluntary assisted dying, despite having different eligibility criteria. The article concludes with broader regulatory insights for designing voluntary assisted dying frameworks both for jurisdictions considering reform and those reviewing existing legislation.
Recommended Citation
Ben P White et al, "Who Is Eligible for Voluntary Assisted Dying? Nine Medical Conditions Assessed Against Five Legal Frameworks" (2022) 45:1 U New South Wales LJ 401.
